Opioid and non-opioid analgesics

Effect of subcutaneous methylnaltrexone on patient-reported constipation symptoms

“…Constipation is a common and unpleasant side effect associated with opioid therapy with approximately 40% of patients using opioids for non-malignant pain, reporting constipations symptoms [2]. Unlike most other common opioid side effects, opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is often persistent and can lead to serious medical consequences such as bowel obstruction or fecal impaction [1,3]. Severe and persistent constipation is one of the most common reasons for patient discontinuation of opioid analgesics, thus leading to a negative effect on pain management and quality of life [4].…”

A Comparison Between the Effects of Acetaminophen and Celecoxib on Bone Fracture Healing in Rats

“…11 NSAID use can cause dyspepsia as well as more serious gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney dysfunction. 12,13 The serious NSAID side-effects were thought to be caused by inhibition of COX-1 in the stomach lining and kidney, although animal experiments indicate that combined inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 is most detrimental. 14 Thus, recently developed NSAIDs, such as celecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib, and valdecoxib, target the COX-2 catalytic site with greater selectivity.…”

“…Although narcotics offer significant pain relief, these drugs are addictive and may cause other significant side effects, such as cognitive impairment and dyspepsia. 12 In contrast, acetaminophen is an effective analgesic with few side effects. 25 The mode-of-action for acetaminophen is not known, although recent experiments suggest that COX-3, the central nervous system spliced variant of COX-1, is specifically inhibited by acetaminophen.…”

Innovations in Pain Management: Morphine Combined with Omega-3 Fatty Acids

“…As this can decrease the quality of life and work productivity of patients, in cases of severe constipation patients should reduce the opioid dose, resulting in decreased analgesia. However, constipation is unlikely to improve over time, and therefore it should be monitored during treatment with morphine [49]. This persistent effect often requires a simultaneous additional treatment [41,42], with several studies having suggested that mu-opioid receptors play a key role in opioid-induced constipation [50].…”